U.S. patent number 5,313,934 [Application Number 07/943,315] was granted by the patent office on 1994-05-24 for lens cleaning means for invasive viewing medical instruments.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Deumed Group Inc.. Invention is credited to J. Michael Teets, Bruce E. Wiita, Gregory D. Wiita.
United States Patent |
5,313,934 |
Wiita , et al. |
May 24, 1994 |
Lens cleaning means for invasive viewing medical instruments
Abstract
A hollow tubular elongated member is concentrically mounted to a
borescope or surgical viewing instrument defining a spaced passage
for flowing fluid to a cuff which is discretely located below the
distal end of the lens of the borescope and which defines a
discretely configured discharge port for flowing fluid over the
lens surface for cleansing and defogging purposes. A two-piece
locking handle may be used to lock the lens cleaning apparatus to
the borescope. Another embodiment includes a flexible tube utilized
with the cuff.
Inventors: |
Wiita; Bruce E. (North Palm
Beach, FL), Teets; J. Michael (Hobe Sound, FL), Wiita;
Gregory D. (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) |
Assignee: |
Deumed Group Inc. (Palm Beach
Gardens, FL)
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Family
ID: |
25479433 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/943,315 |
Filed: |
September 10, 1992 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
600/109; 600/133;
600/135; 600/157; 600/182 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B
1/00091 (20130101); A61B 1/00135 (20130101); A61B
1/126 (20130101); A61B 1/253 (20130101); A61B
90/70 (20160201); A61B 1/127 (20130101); A61B
2090/701 (20160201) |
Current International
Class: |
A61B
19/00 (20060101); A61B 1/12 (20060101); A61B
1/253 (20060101); A61B 1/24 (20060101); A61B
001/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/4,6,7 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
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PK6140 |
|
May 1991 |
|
AU |
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9220274 |
|
Nov 1992 |
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WO |
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Primary Examiner: Apley; Richard J.
Assistant Examiner: Meindl; Beverly A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Friedland; Norman
Claims
What is claimed:
1. Apparatus for cleansing the lens of a viewing camera used in
biological observation by penetration into the cavity of living
beings, the camera having an elongated tube housing fibre optics
for producing a lighted area from a light source and a image relay
for a television camera, a lens at the distal end of said elongated
tube, the improvement comprising:
a tubular member concentrically mounted around said elongated tube
and being spaced therefrom to form a longitudinal passageway,
a cuff portion extending beyond the distal end of said elongated
tube to reduce lens contact with body parts to inhibit opaque
fluids from obscuring visibility, said cuff portion including fluid
passage means in fluid communication with said longitudinal
passageway and being laterally disposed relative thereto and
defining at least one discharge port at the end of said fluid
passage means for directing fluid in a lateral direction, said cuff
portion including a bottom wall surface extending below said fluid
passage means for redirecting the flow of fluid in said
longitudinal passageway and to flow into said fluid passage means
to discharge from said discharge port and flow laterally in a
direction to scrub the surface of the lens mounted at the distal
end of said elongated tube,
said discharge port being sized to coalesce and direct the flow of
fluid to form a sheet of fluid, and
means for admitting fluid into said longitudinal passageway whereby
the flow of fluid formed into a sheet is directed over the lens on
demand of the operator.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fluid passage means
includes a predetermined length and said discharge port includes a
length and height and the dimension of said predetermined length of
said fluid passage means is larger than said height said discharge
port.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said predetermined
length of said fluid passage means is substantially equal to two
times the dimension of said height of said discharge port.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said longitudinal
passageway is annular.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a circumferential rim
defined by said cuff disposed relative to the edge of said
discharge port for adhering through capillary retraction droplets
of fluid that remain on said rim in proximity to said lens after
the flow of fluid is discontinued and when the fluid is a
liquid.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including means for generating a
vortex of said fluid disposed at the end of said discharge
port.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said means for
generating a vortex includes a plurality of spaced vanes
circumferentially spaced about an axis that is disposed coaxially
relative to the longitudinal axis of said lens.
8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the internal diameter of
said tubular member is threaded, an end cap including a threaded
shank portion threadably supported to said internal threads for
placing said elongated tube and said tubular member in locking
relationship.
9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 including sealing means disposed
between said tubular member and said elongated tube at the lower
end of said shank.
10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 including normally closed valve
means disposed between said cap and said proximal end of said
elongated tube operable externally of the body for opening said
valve means and flowing fluid into said longitudinal
passageway.
11. Apparatus for cleansing the lens of a viewing camera used in
biological observation by penetration into the cavity of living
beings, the camera having a flexible elongated tube housing fiber
optics for producing a lighted area from a light source and a image
relay for a television camera the improvement comprising:
a flexible tubular member concentrically mounted around said
elongated tube having a helical extending rib portion defining a
helical passage,
a cuff portion extending beyond the distal end of said elongated
tube including an annular passage and fluid passage means in fluid
communication with said helical passage and defining at least one
discharge port at the end of said fluid passage means, said annular
passage of said cuff portion including a bottom wall surface for
redirecting the flow of fluid in said fluid passage means to
discharge from said discharge port and flow laterally in a
direction to scrub the surface of the lens mounted at the distal
end of said elongated tube,
said fluid passage means and said discharge port being sized to
coalesce and direct the flow of fluid to form a sheet of fluid,
and
means for admitting fluid into said helical passage whereby the
flow of fluid formed into a sheet is directed over the lens on
demand of the operator.
12. Apparatus for cleansing the lens of a viewing camera used in
biological observation by penetration into the cavity of living
beings, the camera having an elongated tube housing fibre optics
for producing a lighted area from a light source and a image relay
for a television camera, a lens at the distal end of said elongated
tube, the improvement comprising:
a tubular member concentrically mounted around said elongated tube
and being spaced therefrom to form a longitudinal passageway,
means for generating a vortex of said fluid disposed at the end of
said longitudinal passageway, said means for generating a vortex
including a plurality of vanes circumferentially spaced about an
axis that is disposed coaxially relative to the longitudinal axis
of said lens, and
means for admitting fluid into said longitudinal passageway whereby
the flow of fluid formed into a vortex is directed over the lens on
demand of the operator.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to biological viewing instruments that
include a lens used for video cameras or the like for internal
viewing of the body and particularly to means for cleansing and
shielding the lens.
BACKGROUND ART
There are a number of lens cleaning devices that are described in
the prior art that are used on endoscopes, resectoscope, fiberscope
catheterization devices and the like that provide for means for
cleansing the lens. For example U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,163 granted to
Ono et al on Sep. 13, 1988 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,576,146 granted to
Kawazoe et al on Mar. 18, 1986 disclose an apparatus for viewing
blood vessels and the like by continuously flowing saline fluid
through a passage formed in the endoscope at a flow rate that
approximates the blood flow rate. Of particular interest is the
lens cleaning means disclosed in these patents which show a pair of
passageways that include outlets that flow the saline solution in
front of the lens. The outlets serve to orient the flow so that the
flow discharging from the outlets of each of these passageways
oppose each other and hence, according to this patent, the
interaction of the opposing fluids keeps the lens clean.
Also of interest as disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,576,146,
supra, is the spiral passageway for injecting the saline solution
with a spiral flow to displace the opaque liquid in the region of
observation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,690,140 granted to Mecca on Sep. 1, 1987 discloses
an endoscopic tube with a passageway to route clear liquid to
circulate around the endoscopic tube. Again this is another attempt
to keep the lens clean.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,633,855 granted to Baba on Jan. 6, 1987 also
discloses an endoscope that includes a tube mounted internally
within the endoscope where the end at the distal end is bent
approximately 90 degrees and directed toward the lens so as to blow
air or water adjacent the observation window in order to keep it
clean.
While these lens cleaning means may be satisfactory in certain
biological procedures, they are not satisfactory for others. In the
application of video-surgery in laporoscopic and arthroscopic
procedures, for example, we have found that creating a film of
cleaning fluid to form over the lens surface is a far more
satisfactory method of keeping the lens clean or defogged, if it
fogs up. In certain instances. injection of the fluid, which may be
either water or carbon dioxide, intermittently as needed has proven
to be a satisfactory method of keeping the lens clean and
defogged.
This invention employs a radial cavity with either partial or full
circumferential flow directed over the surface of the lens or lens
cover. In other embodiments this invention contemplates
incorporating a vortex generator circumferentially mounted around
the lens. This invention also contemplates incorporating a
judiciously mounted fluid conveying passage integrated within the
sheath surrounding the flexible types of medical instruments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of this invention is to provide for a biological viewing
instrument improved means for cleaning and/or shielding the
lens.
A feature of this invention is to provide a sheath surrounding the
tube supporting the fibre optics that provide light and transmits
the image to the camera (video or other types) used in video
surgery that includes a passage for flowing fluid to the discharge
end that includes a radial channel with partial or full fluid flow
capability formed in a cuff downstream of the lens and means to
redirect the flow and coalesce the fluid and direct a film of fluid
adjacent the surface and toward the center of the lens.
Another feature of this invention is to provide at the distal end
of a concentric sheath surrounding the medical tubular instrument
used for biological observations a vortex generator
circumferentially disposed relative to the lens of the
instrument.
Another feature of this invention is to provide for a flexible
medical instrument used for biological observation or video surgery
a sheath fabricated from flexible material concentrically mounted
relative to the instrument with a helical passage formed integrally
with the sheath defining a channel for the passage of fluid.
A feature of this invention is to provide a sheath and means for
cleaning and/or shielding the lens of a biological observation
instrument that is characterized as being capable of being adapted
to existing instruments or being fabricated integrally with these
types of instruments. A still further feature of this invention is
that the structure of this invention can be sterilized via an
autoclave method. The instrument can also be used to irrigate an
adjacent area in the body by flowing fluid through the lens
cleaning instrument to obtain a clearer view of the surrounding
area.
Another feature of this invention is the incorporation of a
two-part handle having the inner part connected to the lens
cleaning apparatus and the upper part being rotatable relative to
the lower part and each part having a camming arrangement for
locking the lens carrying tube by a slight turn of the one handle
relative to the other.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent from the following description
and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view partly in section illustrating the
invention adapted to fit a borescope,
FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial view in section showing details of
the lens cleaning passages of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the end cap for securing
the invention to an existing borescope,
FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial sectional view illustrating another
embodiment of this invention,
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view illustrating a vortex generator
attachment,
FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial sectional view illustrating another
embodiment of this invention,
FIG. 7 is a partial view in section taken along lines 7--7 of FIG.
6,
FIG. 8 is a view in perspective illustrating another embodiment of
this invention when applied to a flexible borescope,
FIG. 8A is a partial view in section illustrating the rib portion
for defining the helical flow path,
FIG. 9 is a partial view in perspective and partly in section
illustrating a version of this invention employing a valving
arrangement for controlling the cleansing and/or shielding
fluids,
FIG. 10 is a partial view in section showing the details of the
embodiment of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11A is a view in perspective of the bottom of a component of
the handle of this invention;
FIG. 11 is an exploded view in perspective illustrating the
two-part locking handle, and
FIG. 12 is a partial view partly in section illustrating the two
piece locking handle.
FIG. 13 is a sectional view, partly in phantom, taken along lines
13--13 illustrating the handle in the unlocked position.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
While in its preferred embodiment this invention is contemplated
for use in video surgery, as for example for performing
appendectomies, removal of gall bladders, removal of cancerous
prostrate glands, and the like and for biological observation, it
is to be understood that this invention has application in any
environment where a lens is inserted into a cavity and ready access
to cleanse the lens is not available. In a typical medical
operation using video cameras the portion of the body to be
observed is invaded by a Trocar which incises a small cylindrical
hole through the body skin and tissue and is withdrawn leaving a
hollow plastic tube in place. A tubular instrument (hereinafter
referred to as a borescope) carries bundles of fiber optics which
serves to transmit high intensity light beams to illuminate the
area being treated and carries images back to the TV camera to view
the sighted area. This invention is only concerned with the lens
that is located at the distal end of the borescope an particularly
to means that cleanse and shield it.
While the invention contemplates incorporating cleansing and
shielding means to existing borescopes it is also within the scope
of this invention to fabricate the borescope integrally with this
invention.
To best understand this invention reference is now made to FIGS.
1-3 depicting a hollow cylindrical tube 10 adapted to
concentrically fit over the borescope 12. The diameter is selected
to provide an annular space between the outside diameter of the
borescope 12 and the inner diameter of the tube 10 having specific
dimensions for the passage of sufficient fluid necessary for lens
cleansing and shielding.
In the preferred embodiment the bottom or distal end is formed in
two cylindrical pieces concentrically mounted relative to each
other. The outer piece or sheath 16 extends the entire length of
the tube and the inner piece is a short tube 18 mounted at the
distal end and extends axially a short distance up the sheath 16.
The diameter of the inner short tube 18 forms a snug fit with the
outer surface of the borescope 12 and is slightly spaced to form
the annular passage 20 that is in fluid communication with the
annular passage 22 defined by the sheath 16. A plurality of spacers
24 are circumferentially spaced and extend between short tube 18
and the inner surface of sheath 16 and are suitably bonded thereto
and serve to keep the two tubes in concentric alignment.
A retention nut and gland combination 28 threadably engages threads
30 formed on the inner diameter of sheath 16 at the proximal end
and serves to secure and seal the sheath to the borescope. The
outer circumference at the end of nut 38 may be knurled in order to
manually torque the nut to the sheath. Sealing means, say 0-ring
seal 42, seals off the end to the passage 22.
Fluid is supplied to passage 22 through opening 45 formed in the
sheath 16 and fluid such as water or carbon dioxide from a source
(not shown) is regulated by suitable and commercially available
valves, such as trumpet valves that are normally biased close and
merely require depressing the valve stem to open, similar to those
used in musical instruments.
According to this invention, the fluid in passages 22 and 20 is
directed to a cuff 46 extending from and formed a part of sheath 16
that protrudes beyond the distal end of borescope 12. The passage
20 in cuff 46 includes a curved or flat bottom that serves to
change the direction of the flow in passage 20. By virtue of the
momentum of the flow the stream is directed to flow in the
transverse passages 50 and discharge through the annular spaced
outlets 52 and is directed toward the central axis of the lens. The
stream of fluid is made to coalesce to form a film or sheet of
fluid to flow over the outer surface of the lens cover 53. The
dimensions of passage 50 and annular outlet are critical in that
they are sized to give direction and coalesce the flow into a film
which serves to clean the lens cover or lens directly if no cover
is utilized. The dimensions of the length of the transverse passage
50 depicted by arrow A and the height of transverse passage 50
depicted by arrow B are critical and are selected so that the size
of dimension A is substantially larger than the size of dimension
B. In actual tests satisfactory results were obtained when the
dimension of A was twice the dimension of B.
In operation suitable valves 60 or 62 (schematically shown) are
activated to flow fluid through the line 64 coupled to fitting 66
which admits the fluid to annular passages 22 and 20 via the
opening 45. The flow proceeds to the cuff 46 where it is guided by
the bottom surface 47 and is forced to redirect the flow into the
plurality of circumferential spaced passages 50. The flow
discharging from the passages 50 are directed toward the central
axes C of the borescope 12. The fluid may be preheated in order to
accommodate the defogging feature of this invention.
Another advantage of the cuff 46 is that by virtue of the fact that
it extends axially beyond the lens cover it serves to shield the
lens from being in direct contact with body tissue and in fact
creates a space between the outer edge of the cuff and the surface
of the lens which allows the intensive light being transmitted by
the fiber optics to diffuse in this space and maintain
visibility.
As will be appreciated from the foregoing that the outlet 52 is in
a form of an annulus and is in proximity to the lens and in fact
circumscribes the lens. This serves to attract, by capillar
attraction, any liquid droplets that should remain on the lens
after the liquid has been turned off. The attraction of the
droplets is by a adhesion effect which has a tendency of drawing
the liquid back toward the annulus and as a consequence the
droplets are removed from the lens and thereby avoiding any
distortion of the image being transmitted to the camera.
FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment of this invention where the
number of outlets 52 are significantly reduced so that the span of
the circumferential dimension is increased, simplifying the
fabrication of the invention. Also the other sheath 61 is crimped
at some distance up from the bottom end to form a dimple that bears
against the outer circumferential surface of borescope 12 to keep
the outer tube in concentric alignment. This replaces the spacers
depicted in FIG. 1 to simplify the manufacture of the sheath.
It is contemplated within the scope of this invention that instead
of having the fluid discharge from the outlets 52 in a stream that
is parallel or generally parallel to the lens cover, a vortex
generator will be mounted at the outlet to impart a swirling motion
to the fluid to in effect create vortices in front of the lens
which will serve to not only clean the lens or its surface but also
prevent loose tissue or other opaque substances from impinging on
the lens. A suitable vortex generator generally indicated by
reference numeral 63 is shown in FIG. 5. Generally the vortex
generator is a ring-like member 62 that carries a pluralities of
upstanding vanes 64 spaced around the circumference. Vanes 64 serve
to impart a swirl to the fluid passing therebetween so that the
fluid discharging from the vane defines a helical path depicted by
the arrow D.
As is apparent from the foregoing the cleaning fluid that exits the
channels defined between adjacent vanes 64 flows tangentially
toward the center line C, across the lens and with a spiral motion
the fluid then travels in an axial/radial direction outwardly over
the face of cuff 46 and as a secondary cleaning function serves to
prevent opaque fluids present in the body from migrating from the
cuff to the lens. The swirling fluid serves to not only keep the
lens clean or defogged but also creates a shield to protect the
lens from loose matter in the area being viewed.
The components of the lens cleaning system can be fabricated from
suitable and well known metallic or non-metallic materials.
FIGS. 6 and 7 exemplifies another embodiment of this invention
where the short tube 72 defining cuff portion 74 is fabricated from
sheet metal stock and is attached to the end of sheath 76 (similar
to sheath 16 depicted in FIG. 1). The bottom end is crimped to
define dimple 78. The lens cover 53 bears against the dimple 78
when installed and defines the space 80 to allow the flow
discharging from the annular discharge 82 to flow over the surface
of the lens. Similar to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the cuff
74 serves to change the direction of the flow so that the flow
passes beyond the lower extremity of the distal end of borescope 12
and is redirected to the outlet discharge end before being
discharge adjacent the surface of the lens. In this embodiment of
FIGS. 6 and 7 the tube 76 is held in concentric relationship with
the borescope 12 by the scallops 86 formed on the inner diameter of
tube 76.
FIGS. 8 and 8A exemplifies this invention when the borescope is
formed from a flexible tube. In this embodiment a helical formed
channel 88 is formed in the flexible tube 90 which may be
fabricated similar to BX metal cable to define the passage for
flowing the fluid from the inlet to the discharge end. The cuff
portion which can be identical to the versions shown in FIGS. 1, 4,
and 6 is secured to the end of the flexible tube 90. As seen in
FIG. 8A the rib 88 defines a flexible helical channel to the
boroscope outside diameter for delivering the fluid from the
proximal end to the distal end of the lens cleaning tubular
member.
FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate optional attachment means and trumpet
valve means that can be employed with this invention. In this
embodiment the borescope 12 is inserted in the tube 10 and held in
place by end cap and bolt 92 threaded to the end of tube 10. A
packing or gland illustrated by reference numeral 94 seals the end
of the borescope 12. Suitable trumpet valves 96 and 98 serve to
admit the fluid desired. The trumpet valve as shown in FIG. 10
consists of a plunger 100 that is spring biased by coil spring 102
in the upward direction. Depressing button 106 positions valve
element 108 away from seat 109 placing passage 110 in fluid
communication with passage 22.
In accordance with this invention and as can be seen in FIG. 11 and
FIG. 12 a two-piece handle is provided to conveniently lock the
tubular member 10 to the borescope 12. The borescope 12 is inserted
in the central passage 130 and extends throughout the distal end.
The upper handle 132 carries an elongated triangular shaped cam
element 136 that extends into the aperature 138 formed in lower
handle 140. Aperature 138 is configured to define detents that have
a smaller diameter area than the diameter area of the aperature
138. Hence, by rotating the upper handle 132 relative to the lower
handle 140, which is held in place by the operator with the use of
his other hand, the apex of the triangular shaped cam 136 fits into
the smaller diameter area detents and the material of cam 136 is
sufficiently flexible and resilient to frictionally engage the
outer diameter of the borescope 12 and lock it into place.
As will be appreciated by those skilled in this art another use of
the lens cleansing apparatus is the ability to irrigate the
surrounding area by injecting a stream of fluid in the area where
the surgeon requires a better or clearer view. To accomplish
irrigation the operator merely depresses the trumpet valve to allow
a stream of fluid to be injected in the surrounding area and leaves
the valve in the operative mode until the area is visible. It is
contemplated within the scope of this invention that the trumpet
valve can include suitable means to hold the valve in the operative
position.
Although this invention has been shown and described with respect
to detailed embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated and
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form
and detail thereof may be made without departing from the spirit
and scope of the claimed invention.
* * * * *